Schneider conceived the "Combination Concertos" opp.83-90 in F major as a set with identical thematic material, so that the expensive engraving of separate orchestral parts could be avoided. Only the solo part was composed to take advantage of the specifics of each solo instrument. Initially planned for flute (op.83), clarinet (op.84, in D-Bds), bassoon (op.85), horn (op.86, in D-Bds) and oboe (op.87), it was then expanded to include two double concertos for flute & oboe (op.88) and clarinet & bassoon (op. 89) as well as a concerto for bassethorn (op. 90). He offered them to Peters and Simrock, but these publishers were hesitant about such an experiment. They were finally published by Hofmeister in 1818.Because of the success of this first combination concerto, Simrock then published a second set as opp.100-107, which includes another flute concerto (op.100, in GB-Lbl), concertos for horn (op.101, in D-Mbs, I-BO), oboe (op.102, in D-Bds), clarinet (op.103, in I-BO) and bassethorn (op.105, in D-Bds), as well as Concertantes for clarinet and bassoon (op.106, in US-NH) and flute and oboe (op.107, in D-Bds). In Schneiders work catalog the numbers opp.92-99 are missing, and were most likely reserved for a further combination concerto.Ref.: Meyer-Hanno, A.: Georg Abraham Schneider und seine Stellung im Musikleben Berlins, pp.101-102. Berlin, Merseburger 1965.The Fleisher Collection (Free Library of Philadelphia) has manuscript scores and parts for Opp.83-87.

Misc. Comments

Is 1818 for Hofmeister a known upper bound (e.g. from Whistling) or more on the order of ca.1818+ ? Putting in reason for 1819-or-less; replace again with 1818 (w/r) :) - ES

If Op.85 is the G.A. Schneider Grd. bsn. concerto mentioned (as published) in the August 1815 AMZ Intelligenzblatt, then 1818 is actually too -late- a first publication date. - ES, again